Horse Owner Herbert Schwartz Dies

Thoroughbred owner Herbert T. Schwartz, who bred and owned two-time New York-bred champion filly Critical Eye, died Thursday of natural causes at his home in Woodmere, N.Y., said his son, trainer Scott Schwartz.

He was 80.

A real estate developer who also owned Falcaro’s Bowling Center in Lawrence, N.Y. before his retirement, Schwartz bought his first horses, Steal A Dance and Cute N Crafty, in 1969. He went on to campaign a number of homebreds who carried the family’s distinctive flamingo pink and silver silks at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, including Go Rockin Robin, winner of the Grade 2 Peter Pan in 2003; Dynamic Lisa, who took the Yaddo for state-breds in 2003, and Brookhaven’s Money, winner of the 2008 Spectacular Bid division of the New York Stallion Series. Schwartz also bred multiple stakes winners Be Bullish and Classic Endeavor.

Schwartz’s top horse was Critical Eye, a daughter of Dynaformer who went on to win 14 races for $1,060,984, mostly in open company. In 2000, Critical Eye gave Schwartz his first Grade 1 when she took the Gazelle at Belmont Park en route to being voted champion New York-bred 3-year-old filly, and the following year she added the Grade 1 Hempstead Handicap to her resume as 2001’s champion New York-bred older female.

In 2001, Schwartz was voted New York Breeder of the Year and also National Small Breeder of the Year by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

“He was a true horseman who loved the game,” said Scott Schwartz. “He was involved for five decades and achieved a lot for being a small, hands-on operation.”

In addition to Scott, Schwartz is survived by his wife, Carol, daughters Karen, Bonnie and Robin, and many grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private.